Everyone has the right to their privacy. It allows us to have autonomy over our lives, relationships, and reputations in different circles. Blackmailers are particularly dangerous because they look to violate and weaponize that privacy for personal gain. Not only can the threat of blackmail cause severe emotional distress, but it can also disrupt quality of life. Protecting yourself from online blackmail starts with understanding how these scams work. Continue reading to learn how to deal with blackmail and protect yourself from being targeted.
In-Person vs Online Blackmail
Blackmail is a crime in which someone threatens to publicly expose information to coerce victims into complying with their demands. There are two main categories for blackmail: in-person and online.
In-person blackmail typically involves physical leverage and interactions. Items such as photographs, letters, and bank statements are used to blackmail people for money. In-person blackmailers are typically unable to mask their identity. The perpetrator is usually someone who knows the victim or previously had a relationship with them.
On the other hand, online blackmailers are often anonymous. They use digital means to gain access to private data and threaten to publicly release it online if their demands aren’t met. Things like social media accounts, explicit messages, and hacked devices are commonly used for online blackmail.
Different Types of Online Blackmail
There are various types of online blackmail, and the number of forms continues to grow as technology advances. Different forms of blackmail are typically defined by the type of demands or leverage used against the victim. Take note of the following four main types of online blackmail that you need to be aware of.
Sextortion
Many people are looking for resources on how to deal with blackmail because of sextortion. Sextortion is a form of blackmail in which someone threatens to expose a victim’s explicit content unless their demands are met. The most common demand is for a certain amount of money, often requested through crypto or gift cards.
Sextortionists are known to use catfishing as their primary method of luring in potential victims. They will steal images from other online users who are deemed desirable. These catfish aim to build a fraudulent relationship with unsuspecting users, gaining trust and exploiting it. Sextortionists may also be previous partners who in the past had consensual access to the explicit content.
No matter the perpetrator, the effect on the victim is similar. They often experience extreme fear, stress, anxiety, and shame. The intense mix of emotions can be overwhelming for victims to handle alone and can lead to devastating consequences.
Sexploitation
Similarly, sexploitation is when someone threatens to release a victim’s explicit content unless their demands are met. However, the demands are specifically for more explicit content or sexual favors.
While sextortion is mainly financially motivated, sexploitation is not. This difference is also reflected in the type of criminal who commits each crime. Sextortionists are only interested in the victim’s money. Conversely, perpetrators of sexploitation are often motivated by an attraction to their victims. In some cases, they may even stalk them.
Ransomware
Ransomware is malicious software that blocks access to systems, files, or data until a ransom is paid. If the demands are met, the perpetrator will send the victim a decryption tool to regain access to their assets. Ransomware is commonly used against organizations, but it can also be weaponized against individuals. In 2023, ransomware accounted for 70% of reported cyberattacks, with more than 317 million attempts recorded.
Personal Information Blackmail
Certain cybercriminals will use any sensitive information they gain access to for blackmail. Login credentials, Social Security numbers, and credit card accounts are all examples of leverage in blackmail schemes. Hackers often utilize phishing tactics to gain access to this sensitive data.
They will pose as trusted organizations or individuals and trick victims into clicking a malicious link. The link can either download malware onto your device or redirect you to a fake webpage designed to steal information. Once the perpetrators gain access to your data, they will look for compromising information for blackmail.
Account Takeover
With so much of our lives existing online, hackers now target online accounts for blackmail. Things like social media, email, and bank accounts are commonly used as leverage against victims. Similar to personal information blackmail, hackers use phishing tactics to gain access to accounts.
Posing as legitimate organizations, they will send warning messages to victims that their account has been locked due to suspicious activity. However, the message is meant to lure victims into clicking on a malicious link, exposing their login credentials.
Common Threats Made in Online Blackmail
In the digital era, cybercriminals can commit blackmail with greater efficiency and scale. Blackmailers target dozens, if not hundreds, of people at a time. They rely on victims being unaware of their manipulative and coercive tactics. To help you better understand how to deal with blackmail, we compiled a list of threats you may encounter.
- Exposing intimate images or videos. Criminals will threaten to expose private explicit images or videos publicly.
- Sending intimate content to your supervisor or colleagues. Blackmailers will threaten to send intimate images or videos directly to your co-workers. They often use LinkedIn to discover professional contacts.
- Exposing social security numbers. They may threaten to release your social security number on the dark web, forums, or in data breach dumps.
- Deepfake nudes. Generative AI and deepfake technology can now alter innocuous images or videos to manufacture explicit content. They may superimpose a victim’s face onto an already existing video or use undressing AI platforms to fabricate nudes.
- Law enforcement impersonation. Your local authorities will never blackmail you for money or request funds through the phone. In certain sextortion schemes, perpetrators will pose as young adults to lure victims into a relationship. Once trust is built, they will suggest exchanging intimate content. At this point, the perpetrator reveals that they are actually a minor and will get the “police” involved. Posing as an officer, the perpetrator will then contact the victim to scare them into paying the demanded amount.
- Account lockout and deletion. Once a hacker takes over an online account, they may only offer to return access after you’ve paid a ransom. They will threaten to lock you out of your account permanently or even delete your account if necessary.
How to Get Rid of Blackmail: A Victim’s Story
Bryan Wilson hacked into the Snapchat accounts of over 20 women. He posed as Snapchat security and messaged his targets to respond with their login credentials to save their account. Wilson then used the credentials to gain unauthorized access. He then searched for explicit content to use as blackmail.
One of his victims responded to the threat of blackmail and exposure with delay tactics. She stalled by telling Wilson that one of her loved ones died. This extra time allowed the victim to build rapport with Wilson and go to her local police. The victim was able to get Wilson to send selfies and even got an invite to his lake house. However, this was the information the police needed to identify Wilson as a Louisville police officer.
Bryan Wilson was sentenced to two and a half years for cyberstalking and a separate conviction over civil rights violations. This case demonstrates how stalling can be effective, giving victims time to consider how to get rid of blackmail.
A Real-Life Case: The Ransomware Attack on Garmin
In 2020, a hacking group used ransomware named “WastedLocker” to attack the Garmin company. The malicious program encrypts any files it can access and aggressively searches for data backups to erase. Garmin’s main website, its “Garmin Connect” service, and its call centers all went offline from the attack.
The hacking group demanded $10 million to regain access to the encrypted files. Garmin paid the ransom to retrieve the data and resume operations quickly. When deciding how to stop blackmail, it’s common for companies to pay the ransom. Companies comply with blackmail demands in hopes of regaining control over their systems before too much time has passed. This tactic, however, is not recommended by experts.
How to Handle Blackmail: Step by Step Guide
If you’re a victim, it’s important to understand how to deal with blackmail — and how not to. Every step you take in response is an essential factor in how the scam will end. Follow these steps if you are wondering how to deal with blackmail.
- Keep a cool head. It’s natural to panic when facing blackmail. However, this is what blackmailers are counting on to force you into a rash decision-making process. Instead, stay calm and turn to the advice experts give on how to deal with blackmail.
- Save the evidence immediately. You need evidence of blackmail for experts to be able to perform their investigations. Make sure to immediately preserve the evidence and store it in a secure location. You can take screenshots of messages, ransom notes, emails, or even save infected files on an isolated device.
- Never give in to the demands. You should never comply with a perpetrator’s demands. It is ineffective in putting an end to the blackmail and only encourages the criminal to continue making demands.
- Avoid blocking the perpetrator. Blocking the blackmailer is a common approach. However, it can have devastating repercussions. Cutting off communications often pushes the perpetrator to make good on their threat in retaliation. You also won’t be able to monitor their actions or any threats they continue to make.
- Use delay tactics. While you shouldn’t block the perpetrator, you should keep the line of communication open. If blackmailers use short deadlines to apply pressure on you, use delay tactics to buy time. Delay tactics give you a chance to turn to law enforcement or cybersecurity experts for help. Use excuses such as “I need to wait until my next payday” or “I have to pull the money together.”
- Report to the authorities. Law enforcement officers are well-versed in how to stop blackmail. That’s why victims should always turn to law enforcement for assistance. They can help you file a report, officially documenting the crime. Certain agencies also have cybercrime units that can investigate your blackmailer. However, law enforcement agencies manage high caseloads, which can lead to delays when looking for help.
How to Deal with Blackmail Using Expert Support from Private Firms
When it comes to how to handle blackmail, private cybersecurity firms can offer immediate assistance to blackmail victims. These firms employ experts who can trace the online footprint of your blackmailer, revealing their geolocation and identity. They can also monitor the internet to take down any non-consensual posting of your private data.
If you need help from a cybersecurity firm to understand how to deal with blackmail, contact Cyber Investigation Inc. We have dedicated cybercrime specialists on standby 24/7 to help victims. Reach out to our Blackmail Helpline today to speak to one of our specialists.
